The True Sabbath Day

~ Based on an article by Wendy Sonka ~

The seventh day of the week, commonly known as Saturday, is the Sabbath day of Yahveh, the Almighty of Israel. It was ordained of Him as a day of rest for all mankind, and the obligation to observe it arises from Yahveh's own example - His act of blessing the seventh day And His explicit command to keep it holy. The Hebrew word Shabbat - Sabbath, implies rest, peace, tranquillity and refreshment. And who will doubt but that in this turbulent and confused world every person on earth is in need of rest and refreshment. Consequently, those who faithfully remember the Sabbath of the Most High and draw apart from the world each week to worship Him on His Holy Day, will receive the spiritual blessings promised in His Holy Word - blessings that will find full scope in the ages to come.

According to the Torah (Bible), the seventh day - Saturday, not the first day - Sunday, was blessed, sanctified and set apart for sacred use by Yahveh Elohim at the time of the creation of the world, and on that memorable occasion it was first observed by Yahveh Himself. (Genesis 2:2-3) All mankind is required to keep holy the seventh day of the week. The Forth of the Ten Commandments, the Law of the Sabbath, is scheduled to outlast this universe and every person on earth is obliged to observe it. Therefore, as long as heaven and earth remain, the seventh day of the week shall continue to be the Sabbath day, the Day of the LORD (Yahveh). Disobedience of Yahveh's law, of which the Sabbath commandment is a part, is sin. These unequivocal facts cannot be rejected without serious consequences. (Exodus 20:8-11, Matthew 5:17-19, I John 3:4) Sabbath desecration is strongly condemned by Yahveh's true prophets, and their inspired messages have been recorded in the Scriptures for the benefit of all future generations and nations under heaven. Dare we ignore their warnings? (Ezekiel 20:19-24, Ezekiel 22:8,26,31, Jeremiah 17:27)

In recognition of the Sabbath commandment, Yashua kept holy the seventh day of the week (Saturday) and the Scriptures testify that it was his custom to do so. (Luke 4:16) It was also the custom of the Apostle Paul and his companions to observe the seventh day Sabbath, the day commonly known as Saturday. The disciples were still observing the true Sabbath day after the resurrection. (Acts 17:2, Acts 18:4) In addition to the above, new converts, both Jews and gentiles alike, regularly attended the synagogue for worship on the Saturday Sabbath, and the fact that interested gentiles in Antioch requested further instruction of Paul "on the next Sabbath" is irrefutable evidence that no separate Sunday meetings were being held there by those early Christians. The gentiles were willing to wait a full week, till the next Saturday for a meeting. Why? Because they knew that Paul and his followers did not meet for worship on a Sunday, and would be available for discussion again on the next Sabbath. The next Sabbath (Saturday) almost the whole city arrived for the meeting. (Acts 13:42-44)

Concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, Yashua advised his followers to pray that their flight from the city "be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day." This passage is also strong proof that Yashua had absolutely no intention whatsoever of doing away with the Sabbath commandment at the cross. On the contrary it shows his high regard for the Sabbath day in that He advised his followers to even go to the extent of praying about it, that it will be possible for them to keep the Sabbath day after His crucifixion. (Matthew 24:20)

The Seventh day Sabbath is also the divine Sign, which Yahveh places in the minds of His people. It is His Signature, which He inscribes on the believer's mind to commemorate His work of creation, sanctification and salvation through Yashua. The Sabbath is, in fact, the eternal memorial token of the perpetual covenant between The Almighty and His Church. What's more, it will continue to be so even in the New Heavens and the New Earth. (Exodus 20:12, 20 and Isaiah 66:22-23)

The Sabbath rest is a token or sample of Divine Rest, which the Most High is eagerly looking forward to. Many believers are going to be excluded from this rest because of their deliberate and persistent disobedience of the Sabbath commandment. (Psalm 95:10-11, Hebrews 4:9-11) We are therefore advised to "Remember the Seventh day to keep it holy." If we do this, we will feast on the heritage of Jacob and be made welcome in the Holy Mountain of Elohim. (Isaiah 56:2-7, Isaiah 58:13-14)

In some strange way the Most High values His Sabbath days as a unique, spiritual treasure of inestimable worth, more than any human mind can appreciate. Try to understand His pleadings in these amazing words: "And I gave them my statutes, and showed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. Moreover, also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I Am Yahveh that sanctifies them." Ezekiel 20:11-12

Note how the Sabbath is given a special place of honor, far above the other statutes and judgements, important as they are. Yahveh's Sabbath is an eternal token of sanctification; the sacred sign that sets the obedient believer apart from all the other people of the earth. It is His SIGN, His Signature on the true believer's mind.

In addition to the weekly Sabbaths, Yahveh gave seven Annual Sabbaths. Every one of them is a memorial of a great event in the Plan of Salvation. Do not miss out on any of them.